Dr. Li Kuang is Assistant Professor of Trombone at Murray State University and an Edwards Performing Artist and Clinician. Before joining MSU, Dr. Kuang taught at Southwestern University, Blinn College and the University of Texas at Austin. He was frequently invited to teach master classes and give clinics at major conservatories across China and has also taught master classes at many universities in North America.
Dr. Kuang started his formal trombone training at age of 9 in Chengdu China. At 19 years old, he was already performing regularly with Sichuan Symphony Orchestra, Sichuan Opera Orchestra, Chengdu Philharmonic, and Sichuan Film Orchestra, became the youngest member of these professional ensembles. In the United States, Dr. Kuang performed with Toledo Symphony Orchestra, Adrian Symphony Orchestra, Round Rock Symphony Orchestra, Perrysburg Orchestra, Lima Symphony Orchestra, Flat Rock Symphony, Detroit Chamber Orchestra and Idyllwild International Music Festival Orchestra. He was also the Principal Trombonist of Detroit Civic Orchestra, performed regularly in Max Fisher Hall, downtown Detroit.
Dr. Kuang was the winner of several national and international competitions. In Asia, he won twice awards as the “Top 10 Young Artists” in Chengdu city with a population of 14 million. In the US, Dr. Kuang was the winner of International Trombone Association Frank Smith Competition, Bowling Green State University Concerto Competition and was awarded Second Place in the UT-Austin Concerto Competition. Dr. Kuang was also a finalist in ATW Division III solo competition and served as the lead player in the Internationally-Acclaimed UT Trombone Choir, which received runner-up award in 2014 Emory Remington International Trombone Choir Competition. Dr. Kuang has attended several important trombone seminars and workshops in the past including the prestigious Alessi Seminar, Michael Mulcahy Trombone Class, Summer Trombone Workshop and Bar Harbor Brass Week.
Dr. Kuang holds a deep commitment of continuing serving as an ambassador of American and Chinese trombone field, striving for further establishing communication in trombone performance and pedagogy between these two countries.
Dr. Kuang earned his DMA from The University of Texas at Austin, MMs in trombone performance and Chamber music from The University of Michigan, BMs in trombone performance from Bowling Green State University and Sichuan Conservatory of Music. Dr. Kuang’s primary teachers are Dr. Nathaniel Brickens, David Jackson, Bill Mathis and Garth Simmons, received additional private instructions from Joseph Alessi, Kenneth Thompkins, Michael Mulcahy, Nitzan Haroz and Matt Vaughn.
“Edwards’ superior craftsmanship continues to impress me. The consistency of sound throughout all registers, the easiness of response and control, the colorfulness of tone quality and the clear projection in different dynamic levels making my Edwards T396-A a fantastic all-around instrument for every musical situation I encounter.”